Water leakage detection apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for detecting a discharge of water such as a leak in a device containing a relatively large volume of water such as a hot water storage tank having a pressure relief valve and for shutting off the water supply to such device in response to such detection. The apparatus includes a relatively shallow pan located in proximity to the bottom of the device for collecting water discharged from the device either from a leak or from opening of the pressure relief valve, a float switch mounted in the pan for detecting the presence of water in the pan above a predetermined level and a shut off control valve for disabling the water supply to the device upon activation of the float switch.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for detecting a discharge of water such as a leak from a device containing a relatively large volume of water with said device being connected to a cold water supply line and to a hot water line and having a pressure release valve connected to said hot water line for discharging hot water from said device when the internal pressure of said device exceeds a predetermined pressure; said apparatus comprising a relatively shallow pan located in close proximity to the bottom of said device for collecting water being discharged from said device, a conduit connecting said hot water line from said pressure release valve into said pan such that upon the opening of said pressure release valve hot water flows into said pan from said device, float switch means mounted in said pan with said float switch means having a closed and open switch position and being positioned in said pan so that said float switch means switches from said open position to said closed position when water collects in said pan above a predetermined level and once in said closed position remains in said closed position even if the water level recedes to below said predetermined level, an electric shut off valve connected to the cold water line and to said float switch means for disabling the cold water supply line to said device when said float switch means switches from said open position to said closed position and wherein said float switch means and said electric shut off valve are electrically connected to one another through an AC transformer and to a source of AC power such that said electric shut off valve is operated from reduced AC voltage supplied from said transformer.